Philippine
officials accused China on Wednesday of expanding reclamation work in disputed
waters of the South China Sea, as the United States again called for restraint
in the territorial conflict.
Philippine
and US officials spoke as the longstanding allies ended a two-day strategic
dialogue in Manila, reaffirming defence and economic cooperation.
"The
Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) continue to be
a serious concern, arising from reports of greater development in
reclamation," Philippine defence undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino told
reporters.
Batino
refused to elaborate on the progress of the reclamation, saying only:
"It's very serious. It has grown."
Philippine
foreign undersecretary Evan Garcia described the Chinese reclamation work as
"massive" and a violation of an agreement among South China Sea
claimants not to build new structures until a binding code of conduct is in
place.
"It
is not helpful in finding a way forward. It is not an example of what everyone
would understand as self-restraint," Garcia said.
The Philippines last year accused China of blasting sand and rocks to reclaim areas around reefs in the sea. Facilities under construction reportedly include an airstrip.
The Philippines last year accused China of blasting sand and rocks to reclaim areas around reefs in the sea. Facilities under construction reportedly include an airstrip.
The
United States has "laid out a persuasive case for restraint" in the
South China Sea, said assistant secretary of state Daniel Russel, calling the
territorial disputes an "ongoing concern".
"We
believe bigger nations can't bully the small," he said.
"We
have a huge interest in stable, healthy, constructive bilateral relations with
China," Russel said, but the US was also concerned about "behaviour
that raises tensions, behaviour that raises questions about China’s
intentions".
US
assistant defence secretary David Shear said Washington strongly supports
Philippine efforts to modernise its military, which is one of the weakest in
the region.
He
said the US had provided $300 million in military-related assistance since 2001
and would provide another $40 million in 2015.
China's
claim to much of the South China Sea conflicts with claims by the Philippines
as well as those of Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The
Philippines last March, filed a formal plea to the United Nations challenging
China's claims.
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